AU where Finwë marries Indis first. She died giving birth to Finarfin - something goes wrong. But he’s now single parenting four kids and Indis doesn’t want him to be alone (but doesn’t want to come back herself.)
So he marries Miriel and several years later, Fëanor is born.
Emphasis on the several years later because with so many kids, Miriel’s mainly just trying to help them adjust and grow up with some stability. Finarfin’s probably in his mid teen equivalent when Fëanor is born.
And now Finwë’s been widowed twice. Is probably convinced he’s cursed. And once again has to look after these children alone.
Now the question is does this improve the relationship between Fëanor and co? Or does it exacerbate the problems because with neither mother around, and especially the younger children of Indis having grown close to Miriel, Fëanor is seen as cursed too?
Or perhaps it’s because the older children of Indis never made it easy for Miriel and now she’s gone. To avoid the guilt, they turn into anger. Canonically, Fëanor and Fingolfin share many similarities in personality and ambition, so it wouldn’t be too far fetched to assume Fingolfin would find more subtle and effective ways to try and irritate and undermine Miriel.
But he didn’t expect this. He didn’t expect to wonder if his own anger and attempts to turn the people against her might have contributed to her fading away just like his mother. If she felt supported by her family, maybe she’d have fought harder, had something to come back to.
Maybe he wouldn’t be responsible for orphaning a child.
Much easier to ignore that though. Fëanor’s birth was weird anyway. Their whole stupid family is cursed and his youngest brother acting so much like her is just salt in the wound.
Fëanor and Finarfin would definitely share a bond I think. Finarfin’s the only one who understands what it’s like to be the thing that killed your mother. A mother who everyone loved so dearly but you never knew. With a gentler presence in his life, someone who truly relates to him (and probably had a large hand in raising him,) Fëanor would learn to better temper his fire. Not to hide it, but to wield it more effectively.
Having a little sibling of his own - one who relies on him so much - would probably make for a slightly different Finarfin too. He’s still gentle and desires peace above all, but he’s got a much sharper tongue that he’s more than willing to use to defend his little brother. Against his own siblings if need be.
He’s more firm in his stances and willing to fight (not with violence, but verbally.)
So how does this play into canon events?
Feanor in this AU probably doesn’t have that same drive to prove himself as an heir so to speak, but definitely that he’s just as good as his (much) older brothers.
Also after two wives who’ve died in *Aman* there’s a lot more scepticism regarding Finwë himself. If he’s really worthy of being a King, and if he’s been cursed by Eru. The people feel sorry for his children who’ve had to suffer for his mistakes, and even before Fëanor is born, there’s a growing movement to replace Finwë with more ‘blessed’ elf.
Miriel was a godsend. Her fiery spirit and intelligence defending *her* family and putting others in their place was exactly what Finwë needed. Her passion drew the people back to them and despite the controversy, she became a dearly beloved Queen in a matter of years. Her death tears all of that to shreds, and Finwë’s situation becomes worse than before.
Seeing the grieving father of five holds off the worst of it for a time. But Fëanor grows up seeing his father hated, and both Indis and Miriel spoken of as ‘victims of Finwë’s greed.’
Finwë adores his children. But two broken bonds leave him vulnerable and Nolofinwë has to step up to show their family’s strength.
Arafinwë takes the role of Fëanor’s primary caregiver, taking him where he needs to go. Guiding him to follow his passion. Teaching him the manners of court and warning him of the potential treachery. Finwë shows his love. But he can do little else, even as Nolofinwë makes his… distaste for his youngest brother known.
And Fëanor starts resenting him for it.
Finarfin does resent him for it.
Findis left to live with the Vanyar after Miriel’s funeral. Why? Because she knows it wasn’t Fëanor’s fault, just as she knows her own mother’s death wasn’t Finarfin’s. But the pain is deep, and at the first sign of distaste towards her little brothers, she goes. She doesn’t want to become Nolofinwë, resenting children who lost more than them.
Instead of giving into anger, she sits with her Uncles and comes to terms with her grief and guilt. Understanding from the elders who lived in Cuivienen that some things just happen, and no one but Eru knows why.
This means though she never returns to the Noldor, she and Finarfin get along very well, meeting every few months. She gives him advice. Is his soundboard and comforter. Helps him put aside his own pain to look after Fëanor and help him build some connection to his living parent.
Fëanor grows to admire her sharp mind and quick wit. The two often argue over philosophy and science to Finarfin’s ever increasing exasperation, but at least they get along?
Lalwen has always been attached to Fingolfin. She’s his greatest support and staunchest defender… even when she should really take a second and think. Having grown up with Miriel from the second part of her childhood to adulthood, you can tell she picked up her stubbornness. It’s a necessary evil in a court that seeks to overthrow Finwë. It’s not so great at keeping their family together, and despite his… feelings towards his little brothers, Fingolfin has to restrain her at times.
Now Fingolfin and Finarfin always had a slightly hairy relationship.
Nolo was an adult when both Lalwen and Arafinwë were born. Lalwen still got him as an older brother. Finarfin only ever saw him grieving Indis’ loss. Then angry at Miriel.
He himself *adored* Miriel. She raised him. She was his mother more than Indis ever had the chance to be. And though he understood, Fingolfin never forgave him for that. Never forgave him for mourning Miriel’s death more than Indis’.
He didn’t show it so much as made it clear in his distaste every time little Aro called Miriel ‘Ammë’ with all his heart. Like he’d never had another mother. Finarfin is deeply attuned to the feelings of others though and felt that distance intensely.
This tuens to Fingolfin thinking Finarfin a traitor when he spends so much time looking after and teaching Fëanor. Morgoth’s influence starts to come in here, and he spreads whispers through the courtiers that Nolo’s little brothers are conspiring against him and Finwë. Those who killed their mothers can only plan to usurp if not kill him and his father too.
Now he doesn’t believe that about Finarfin. He knows him too well.
Fëanor… that’s a different story.
He knows Fëanor holds a certain resentment for Finwë. Has called him incapable to his face in the worst of his tempers. But… such things always hold a kernel of truth, no?
And as Fëanor grows to become one of the most charismatic and skilled elves Aman has ever seen, these feelings only deepen.
